There are so many things in life that hold us back from reaching our fullest potential, but one of the biggest challenges we face is believing in ourselves and who God created us to be. I’m still reading Jack Canfield’s book, “The Success Principles How to Get from where You Are to Where You Want to Be”.

One of our biggest hurdles is absorbing what others might be thinking about us instead of really knowing who we are and seeing our own potential. Jack Canfield says,

“WHAT OTHERS THINK ABOUT YOU IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.” (P. 58)

He continues, “If having others believing in you and your dream was a requirement for success, most of us would never accomplish anything. You need to base your decisions about what you want to do on your goals and desires—not the goals, desires, opinions and judgments of your parents, friends, spouse, children, and coworkers. Quit worrying what other people think about you and follow your heart…. Most of the time, nobody’s thinking about you at all! They are too busy worrying about their own lives, and if they are thinking about you at all, they are wondering what you are thinking about them.” (p. 58)

Have you heard of the Law of Attraction? According to Mr. Canfield, “Stated in its most basic form, the Law of Attractions says, What you think about, talk about, believe strongly about, and feel intensely about, you will bring about.” (p. 59)

I believe there is something deeper here than just the “Law of Attraction“. I believe when you really want something, your heart draws you to it, and you begin to think about it ALL THE TIME.

And if you are a Bible believing Christian, you start praying scriptures and asking God to help you achieve the “desires of your heart” that usually— He has placed there in the first place.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”—Mark 11:24 KJV

Some people call this the prosperity gospel. I call it taking Jesus at His Word through faith.

How about these verses in John 16:22-24 when Jesus was talking to His disciples about the Holy Spirit coming after his death.  Jesus said, “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.  In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.  Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (ESV)

He said “in that day you will ask nothing of Me”, because He would not be there. The Holy Spirit would be there. But instead… He said ask “the Father” in His name (Jesus’ name). He repeats the word “ask” in the final part of verse 24…. He’s telling His disciples to ask God in Jesus’ name for their desires — so they would have joy in answered prayer. That applies to us as well.

James 4:2b says, “ye have not, because ye ask not.” The first part of that verse talks about striving and murdering for things that you could just ask God for.

Psalm 37:4 says to “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (KJV)

Now there is some work involved in all of this. Go for the desire that God has placed in your heart, but you also have to work for it. God doesn’t like lazy people. Consider these verses:

• Proverbs 10:4 “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
• Proverbs 12:24 “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.”
• Proverbs 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”
• Proverbs 19:15 “Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.” (ESV Version)
• Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”
• Ecclesiastes 9:10a “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might”
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” (*all scripture quoted here is from the ESV version.)

Work hard for your dream. Study, train yourself, pray, ask, work some more.

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.‘” Luke 9:62

Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back. Go for your God given dreams.

And,

Have a great week!